PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde confirmed he will step down a little over a week before his mandatory retirement.
Albayalde said this is to accomodate President Rodrigo Duterte’s schedule as he is set to fly overseas for a summit.
Albayalde will relinquish his post as PNP Chief to the president’s chosen successor but will retain his four star rank until he officially retires on November 8.
He also revealed that he was not asked by the President to recommend a replacement.
“It is really up to the President whom he will choose as the next chief. Siya lang po ang nakakaalam.” Albayalde said.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año was tasked by the President to come up with a shortlist from which Duterte can choose his next Chief PNP.
“Una quality, seniority and of course, second, merit or reputation. Third, experiences connected to petition his performance. I’ll be submitting between three to five names,” Año said.
Sen. Bong Go earlier said the shortlist for the country’s next top cop included three of the PNP’s highest ranking officers: Police Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, Police Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan and newly promoted Police Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.
But the President may also choose someone not on the list like when he chose Albayalde to succeed now Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa in 2018.
He may be retiring soon but Albayalde is still bent on suing retired police generals he said maligned his character with what he calls baseless accusations and innuendos.
“These people have to be made responsible for their actions. They should know better kesa dun sa paggawa ng false accusations sa ibang tao na alam nila ay pawang kasinungalingan definitely somebody here is lying and definitely it is not me,” Albayalde said.
He questioned the timing of the allegations against him and why after all these years no charges were filed against him by the former officials if they in fact believed he profited from a controversial drug raid in Pampanga in 2013.
He enlisted prominent lawyer Estelito Mendoza who like him hails from Pampanga province to lead his legal team. (Jasper Camilo)